A True and strange Relation of seven yeares slavery under the Turkes of Argeire, suffered by an English Captive Merchant.

VIcicitudes are incident to Kingdomes, to Cities, and to men, and was to me, in my age of 23. yeares and five moneths of my life: And in the yeare of grace 1631. On the ninth day of December, when it plea­sed Almightie God to give power to the Infidels to prevaile over me, whereby I became Captive, and interdicted the company of those of my consanguinitie; prohibi­ted of divine Oracles, and detained from my native Countrey (to which I am yet a stranger) but (praised be God) in way to survive, to see the naturall place of my habitation, and to re-expo­stulate with those, one with me in proximitie of blood, in the fa­miliar language of our loves.

Having passed those calamities, which as I want imagination to conceive, so am more defective to devulge.

Ianuary the 16. day, in the yeare before nominated; I arrived in that Citie fatall to all Christians, and the butchery of mankind, not that I so terme it in respect it serves as a purgation, to evacu­ate the Turkish countrey of superfluous people; my condolation is for the losse of many Christians, taken from their parents and countries, of all sorts and sexes. Some in Infancy, both by Land [Page 2] and Sea, being forced to abuses (most incorrigible flagitions) not onely so, but bereast of Christian Religion, and meanes of grace and repentance. How many thousand of the Nazarian nations have beene and are continually lost by that monster, what rationall creature can be ignornnt of? But farre worse is their condition from whom these peeces had their extraction, in whom their un­happy parents once delighted themselves, with hope they might prove souldiers in the Lords battles. To which intent they fed them with their sweate, nourisht them with their blood, and made their sole joyes; what affliction is like theirs? that such li­ving peeces of their bodies should bee extorted from them. And by whom? buriby a people unknowne, monsters more like then men, where they not onely have their naturall condition changed, and are made their Corrasive: but they do wilfully prove their countries greatest enemy. Who can but religiously condole their misfortunes, whose so prepellent hopes should bee turned to despaires? Who would not wish his loynes dry rather then fruitfull in such wickednesse: these are not onely the greatest Cax­diators in Barbary, but in all others, not in places of obscuritie, But in the great Turkes Soray, who are his Courtiers? who his Councellors? who his Vissiers? who his Bashawes? who his greatest instruments, but these denyers, the sonnes of Christians. What hath beene the advancement of their glory? but our neglect, I meane in the slightings of many poore soules, that in their agony despaired, and with Noah in a fit of their folly discovers these secrets that were hid 600. yeares before. Thus madly doe many of them cast themselves upon the point of those dangers, whereby they have seene so many miscarry: But being forced to that expe­rience which they cannot redeeme, expiate all shame. I doe reli­giously lament the shipwracke of some of them who were of my acquaintance. To whose denyalls I have beene an occular wit­nesse. Lord how facile doe these professe the new Religion, pri­ding themselves in Turkish ceremonies, and in a faith once exe­crable unto them; whereto, not confidence but vice invokes them. Had they but the grace of a common woman, who with un­loosing her Pettycoate looseth shame, but recovering it takes it up againe: there might be hopes of them, that at the hearing of the [Page 3] Cocke crow they might with Peter remember their sinnes, get out of them and weepe bitterly. There is hony to be taken out of the Lyon, and such a plague is opportunitie, that many aregular man is forced to sollicite their friends, and dearely to esteeme of their acquaintance, as well as to the perill; I will ascribe to the Jeat stone his due. The obligation I owe to some of them I have a just propension to requite them for, but I am not oblieged to duske their vices nor contrarily will maliciously professe calumnies a­gainst them, but condoling their destinies with them grace. I was two yeares and fix moneths a slave to one of them: in which terminie I knew not what sufferings was only aflicted by being an occular testator of the calamities of others, I was not imployed in the least servility. His presence did not disturbe me, but I was most a Allegerie in his company, and sure then to fare best; none of my actions but was to his content, and none so acceptable to him as my selfe. My affabilitie, freenesse of speech, and boldnesse had so obliged his affections to mee as almost the world could not ex­piate. And indeede, he was an honest morall man.

Opportunitie gave me occasion sufficient to register the passa­ges of those times happening in that Citie.

The first accident famous for memory in this terminie was in the yeare 1634. on Friday the 20. of Iune, in blowing up the Cassaba or house of Councell, and chiefe foretresse of that Citty. Nature if it once degenerates growes more monstrous and extreame then dis­positions borne to cruelties; many yeares past the Turkes upon surmises of Treason plotted against them by the Collolies, their owne children, for so are they by them called, banished all such of them as were of the Councell, as by denomination Bulla Bashees and Odds Bashees, and performed it with no little subtletie. No word passed in the Citie of these suppositions, nor had the Collo­lyes any thought that their so secret plots had beene the Turkes in­telligences, who knowing the danger neglected, no time to re­medy so great a threatned mischiefe; all rested private, untill the first Duanna day, or day of great councell; when 60. of the pri­mest of them were banished; strange that the Colloly should not know his guilt, and more strange it is that the Turkes should ba­nish a faction more powerful then themselves in number, in friends, [Page 4] and in estates, and equall dignities, all speaking one language; yet the banished departed at the Turkes pleasure, without deman­ding the cause and knowledge of their offence.

The pollitique Turke ordained the place no further then Bugea the next port towne to the Orient, but with two Commissions gi­ven the Captaines, to whose charge they were committed, and appointed to open one after the other. Wherein they were com­manded to transport them to Tunnis, a City absolute. Vntill the next Councell day, all rested without clamour, and now 200. more of them are banished. The Bellages, Citizens and Natives Murmured, but dare not make complaints of their griefes. They neglected their accustomary course of trade. The Turkes by Pro­clamation commanded all men to open their shoppes, buy and sell, and not to have any missupposition of their intente or doings, past or to come, betwixt them and their children as being differences among themselves, also giving hopes to the banished in short time to be recalled to Argiere, and raise them to their former dignities. The third great Duanna or Councell day was banished 500. more of them, without any insurrection or stirre made by the Collolyes; and in fine on the fift day all the rest, consisting of 1574. men, chiefest in the Citie for esteeme; in that they were descended from the ancient Turkes, which conquered that country, and in substance the richest hope is of that noble and couragions facultie that it commonly brings more then it carries away. No advertisement all this time came to Argiere of the banished transportation from one port to another, nor their friends any way suspecting them to be so farre banished as Tunnis. But time the mother of all truth untaught the Collolyes errour, and now by the experience of many yeares see themselves frustrate of all hopes to returne in a faire way to that terrene paradise. They now combinde with difficul­tie to possesse themselves of that citie, which once they being possessed of, might facily make retention. 60. of them, of a more un­daunted resolutiō then the rest vowed to surprise the Cassaba, prime fortresse of the Citie; the stratagem to affect it was thus: They went thither in womens apparell, wearing long Mantles to the ground, and their faces covered as is the fashion of that country, and having Cemitaries, coyertly entered the Cassaba, cry­ing [Page 5] Sherillah or demanding Justice; the day was Friday, and the time the morning. A great advantage to the Collolyes: for it being the Turkes Sunday, most of them that kept the sald Cassaba were in the Citie visiting their friends; in briefe, some one way, and some another: besides it was the 15. day when the Bashaw makes a feast to the whole Duanna. In this manner 23. of the Collolyes enters this Cassaba, the other 37. of the confederacy not present; the Turkish Bulla bassawes which carelesly kept the gate, not thinking them to be other then women, the Collolyes now to imbrace their opportunitie, draw their Curlesses, kills all they finde in the Cassaba, shuts the gate, and for a while are masters of this sump­tuous Fortresse, and now displayes their Banners upon the walls: which suddaine revolt comming to be the intelligence of the Aga, Generall of the Souldiers, and Bashaw, vice King under the great Turke; Yet not informed who they were that had surprised their Cassaba, some conjectured them to be the Cookoose, whose mother and sonne to that King was then prisoner in that Cassaba. The jealous Turke makes Proclamation upon paine of death every Collo­lye to keepe his house, nor any more Allarbyes or Tagarens, subject­ed people, to take Armes or weare a knife; so poasted to the Cassa­ba, and found them to be Collolyes, men polliticke in warre, power­full in faction, as being thousands of them unbanished, which ne­ver had borne office, having also the Allarbyes and Tagarens to their devotion, all supposed enemies to the Turke, who now give the assault. The Collolyes defended from six of the clocke in the morning to ten, at which time usually on all their Churches on Sundayes is hoysted up that ragge of Mahomet, a geene Flagge. The Turkes offered them pardon, and the restauration of their goods detained from them, they deny all composition, and resolve not onely to defend what they had gotten, as their owne patria, but to get more if they could. The Turke now impa­tient, and well knowing the ensuing danger, if they made not some speedy way before night; assuring themselves, that all that were weary of their governement, malecontents and others, then would stirre; and themselves doubtfull of one anothers Loyalties, resolved to make Otote, Obote; something or nothing: They bring Scales to the walls and enter. The defendants seeing themselves [Page 6] desperated, and unable to make any longer resistance, fired 20000. Quentalls of powder, blew a piece of Ordinance out of the Ca­stle to the Fishgate, a mile in length spoyled many houses and had destroyed the whole citie, but that this Cassaba is seated upon a stupendious mountaine, and the Citie lying all downe right un­der it, and the nature of pouder to evaporate into a regular eleva­tion, the Skie was darkened with smoak & dust, and nothing heard but clamours in the streets (as if the day of generall account had beene then) Had those ignoble spirits, that lived in worse Ignomi­ny then the Iewes, but stirred, they might without an aking finger have extirpated the glory of the Turke there, and honoured them­selves with the Lordly command of the most flourishing City of Africa, 6000. soules perished by that blow, but of the Collolyes hee onely that fired the powder, 22. of them being taken alive were most cruelly tortured, some were crucified, others having their bones broken, were drawled along the streets at horse tailes, others had their shoulders stab'd with knives, and burning Torches set in them dropping downe into their wounds; The Turkes biting of their flesh alive, so dyed, and some of them being walled in were starved to death. A guiltie conscience projects terrible things. What perplexitie the other Collolyes of the Citie were in I neede not recount. All censured them dead persons, but the councell disagreeing in themselves, their fortunes were better then their deserts. The Turkes now will not permit the Souldiers marria­ges, and by that meanes extinct so monstrous a Liniage: some of the counsell in detestation of that Race offered to kill their owne children, upon condition all others to doe the like, but others in the surplassage of their loves, countermanded that bloody Decree and unnaturall Acts; onely inqiusition was made for cer­taine women which had given entertainement to those Collolyes and were condemned to be all throwne into the Sea; but being packed from one place to another and not to bee found, at last was published a revocation of the sentence of their deaths, and they escaped and enjoyed their ancient priviledges.

These combustions, soone came Solicitours to the King of Cokoose, who takes present occasion to lay siege to a Castle which the Algiers kept to his great annoyance in that countrey, [Page 7] as speedily came newes to the Algiers of the Castles besieging, who were then studious to fetch off 200. of their Souldiers in Garison there, and also ceremonions to conserve their honour, sent for both a Hamper or generall Army, consisting of 5000. foot Turks, and 3000. Swayv [...]s horsemen: The King of Cokoose, Semper idem, continued the siege, contayning his Forces within the moun­taines, whereon is situated the Castle, the Turkes then according to their old custome trusted more to policie than valour. They knew well the danger to assault the enemy at such an advantage, and therefore propounded termes of peace, and fortune hel­ped them, the Turkes were licenced to depart the Castle with honour, and the Army returned to Argiere in peace, and were received joyfully. In August next they enlarged the Prince of that countrey, giving him amongst other presents, a Spanish Christian woman, whom according to the custome of that religi­on he tooke to wife, and the Queene, mother of that King, and Grandam to the Prince, which also was a runagate of the Spanish nation, and had beene long prisoner in Argiere, They set at li­bertie.

In Iuly 1635. there arrived Mounsieur de Sampson, French Em­bassadour in a Polacta of Mercellis, with his Kings Flagge aloft bravely. This gallant comes ashore, with his retinue consisting of other Messers visited the Councell and King, his action was stately, The Agga or Generall called a Counsell, sends a Chewse or Sergeant for the Embassadour, who came before them, they demanded his Embassage; he answered he was sent by his King to demand his Majesties Subjects, by vertue of that interchangeable league mutually conserved betwixt his Majesty and their Empe­rour, they answered they knew none to command them in their governement. And if his King had sent him to treate for the en­largement of those French which upon just occasion they detayned, or for such slaves as were of that nation, he should have the sole re­ference unto them.

347. Free French men were then in Argiere, being all taken without fighting, and therefore unsold. But in farre worse condi­tion than those that were, 400. Turkes and Moores were in the Mercillian Galleyes, which Mounsieur offered to exchange for his [Page 6] [...] [Page 7] [...] [Page 8] freemen and the slaves, which were 600. more, which they refused; but offered Mounsieur the slaves for the price they were sold for in the Market, referring the freemen to the dispose of the Ba­shawes. Mounsieur now treats with the Bashawe; Hee demands ten peeces of eight per head for them, Mounsieur stormes (as I thinke he had good cause to doe) having promised his King mi­racles in the accommodation of the French affaires. He demands a second conference, and it is granted him, the slaves are offerd him for the monies they cost in the Market, but the freemen raised to 20. peeces of eight per head; Mounsieur according to the French fury boyles and illustrates the puissance of his King, Fire and Towe meets together, the Turkes furie is as much as the French chollor, and he is now more affronted; the Slaves are now become importunate, vexing Mounsieur as the poore widdow did the un­righteous Judge, but his answer to them was Imperiall, hee had brought no moneys for them. The freemen doe now sollicite his propence affection, and implored his Christian care of their estats, they offer to pay the said 20. peeces of eight per head with interest, and the principallest of them, to come in band for satisfaction and securitie; and in summe, every person to give perticular band to those which had so oblieged themselves. Sure it was most pi­teous to see how many sufficient men of that Nation were put to most vile services, where at if they had beene sold, many had meanes to have given for their infranchisment, which upon these differences were detained, and most of them unable to comport with such barbarous indurances, miserably perished. Mounsieur demands a third conference, and is admitted, he demands an abso­lute answer, for that he meant in all hast to bee gone; the Slaves are offered him upon the former termes, but the freemen now ex­hausted to 30. peeces of eight per head, Mounsieur departs with­out any further treatie: the Counsell sends to him to take in his Flag; hee bids them doe it; they take his Sailes from the Yard, and Ruther, all which they carry into their Magazine, and with a Branos anissetim leaves him his Flag. Mounsieur demanded li­cence to depart, they denie him, and having detained him foure moneths after, and cost him some peeces of eight, he is licenced and departs: the poore French having made songs of freedome, and [Page 9] extolled the glory of their grand Chevellier to the skies, are now lest to condole and to new make their forward reckonings, whiles they are derided of all nations, and the Turkes adding Mulct unto them. No man can promise to himselfe an immutable condition, it is two yeares and a halfe since I fell from my Runagatha to Ma­homet Agga, a man of the Armenian nation, and heheae now dead without wife, or child, whereby I am slave to Vsuph Basshaw, be­ing February the 16. 1637. and the 13. of Iune with other slaves of his was imbarked on the Galley of Norilla Bay, at midnight as the custome is after the booke was made, we lanched from Argiere, the 16. dicto neare Colla; The Turke having eight Gallies, met with six of the great Duke of Tuscans Gallies, who at first made an Italian bravada, but in fine, with Saylers and Oars ran away.

The Turke now proud that the Argiere Gallies, had chased away the best Gallies of all the Christians, in the height of their spirits, they rounded both Ilands of Sardena, and Corceoa, taking many Towers upon each of them, burning and taking Pollaceas, Saitease, and other Navigation: and now the second time met with the Dukes Galleyes, who would not indure the sight of them; the Turke pursuing his resolution 19. dayes after our departure from Argiere, tooke a Towne in the Bay of Geneva, where besides rich spoyles they brought from thence 365. persons, and in their re­turne burned a Flushener, being a brave new shippe, having 18. peeces of Ordnance, loaden with Challery Cheese: and being now in their returne, met the third time with those Legorne Gallies, and chased them, but could not fetch them. In fine this voyage ended in 28. dayes, when they returned in safetie to Argiere with no little riches, glory and applause of the people: and now is come a new Bashaw to that City, and as custome is, the old must packe and be gone. Hee put off all his English, French, and Dutch to Ally Pichellin generall of Argiere, a great man in substance, having besides his Lands and other riches 800. Christians slaves; and a great Tirant. He respected no man above another, and in truth we were all exquisitely miserable that were his slaves. The 23. of August, Anno 1637. we were re-inbarked on the Galley of Norilla bay: And the first of September they tooke Colpe in Spaine, a little towne eight leagues to the orient of Allicants; they landed [Page 10] when first Aurora gave her light, and continued the fight till one or two of the clocke in the afternoone, besides the spoiles, they brought from thence 315. Christians; the women and children the next day they sent upon a Galley for Argiere, but put all the men to the Oare; the third dicto they tooke the towne of Cape Paul, which resisted from morning till foure a clocke in the afternoone; in all which time neither there nor at Cape appeared one man ei­ther for resistance, or intelligence: they harrowed the Castle, tooke all the Towers to the Castle of Guardell mare, and so westward, till they came to Titewone in Barbary, where the generall tooke in sixty thousand peeces of eight for his accompt proper. And after they returned for the cost of Spaine, as a terrour, and had done much more damage to the Spaniard, but they were twice preven­ted by English Shippes, they returned for Calpe, and gave Scala Franca to the Spaniards, who visits their forlorne friends, and the unhappy men made spectators of that place where they recei­ved their disaster. In summe, good quarter was performed to them, when at the fine of 30. dayes returned to Argiere with accla­mations of joy of the inhabatants, all the house tops being cove­red with women crying Allaluah, Allaluah, with salutation of Ca­nons and generall rejoycing of the people: it was now October, and we hoped that yeares toyle was past, for so hath beene their custome to repose the winter; I meane from Galley navigations, & to the slaves advantage, for although they worke hard all day on land yet they rest at night, and injoy their fills of water (which is precious in the Gallies) but what is not too little for the unsatiable gulfe fo unhumaine desires. Ally the Generall would ingrosse the whole world to himselfe, plus habeo, plus careo. Another voyage must be made this yeare, and was with six Gallies, but ended in the expence, of what they had formerly gotten, their best for­tune was, they safely returned to their homes: two Gallies were detained in the port to cary Souldiers to the orient garisons, and my lot fell to goe upon one of them; and now preferd, began the worst condition of Gally Slaves: our furthest port was but 100. Leagues, to Boma; a goodly Moores Citie, and famous countrey, I meane for its fertilitie as aboundant in all necessaries for the life of man, and I say famous, in that being a City where Saint Augustine [Page 11] was borne, from whence 129. Souldiers were to goe for Con­stantina, founded by Constantine the Great, our Countrey man, and first Christian Emperour; in which City are yet so many ap­parent footsteps of Christianitie, over whose walls and gates are so many verses, written both in Greeke and Latine of excellent esteeme, for rare antiquities, many whereof were sent me by Run­agathars, which went thither of my acquaintance, but my escape hath left them, and that happily in Argiere, as never meaning to returne for their acclamation; being glad I have so escaped: suddaine and unexpected events are those that cause most admira­tion. Mounsieur de Ma [...]ie, French generall is now at Sea with 15. of his Kings shippes, and commission to infranchise the French Slaves, yet it seemes the god Neptune was wrath with them, for with a storme at Sea, their Fleete was seperated, and most of them forced to returne for Mercelles. Having spent their Masts, and re­ceived other misfortunes; yet all Commissioned if accident should seperate them, Argiere Road should be their randevoos: 400. Turkes and Moores they brought with them to exchange for their French; very confusedly arrived some of them to the Port. First two sayle, one of 36. peeces of Ordnance, whereof Bro [...]noy of Rochell was Captaine, and another of 28. peeces of Ordnance, good quarter was offered them by the Algiers: Gromnoys Purcer comes ashore, without a hostage, professing a visit to the French Councell: at the instant was in the Road, and ready to depart two ships of Argiere, the one of 40. and the other of 28. peeces of Ord­nance, both bound for Alexandrea in AEgypt, and well knowne to Forans Purcer; two such shippes never went out before from Ar­giere, for besides the excessive Riches of their loading, and passin­gers of greatest wealth of that Citie, bound in pilgrimage to the solemnities of the Meco, one shippe of them had knowne in her above three hundred thousand Soltanies in Gold, each Soltanie worth their seven shilling English, the Purcer returnes to his shippes, who were both riding without Command, the Coun­cell sends the Trugman to have them come in, or depart their Road, to which they presently obeyed; nor can I give them any terme of better grace; they stand to the West, and within an hower after weighes the Turkes, who since have ended their voyage con­tinently, [Page 12] and returned to Argiere with great riches. Three dayes after being the 11. of October arrived that noble Captaine, and glory of the French nation, Mounsieur de Mautie in a goodly shippe of 58. peeces of Brasse Ordnance alone, and anchored with­out command. The Duana or Councell sends to know what he came for, hee answered to demand his Kings subjects, which they dislegally detained; with answer returned, the Turkes resends their Trugman, commanding Mounsieur presently to depart, or come under command, other wayes hee should know more from them. Captaines were convocated, and the Duana determined Abdera Manrine, of the Moores nation, a right valiant, and expert Seaman, should be presently armed to goe forth and fetch him in: but Monnsieur weighed, put out his bloody Flagge and departed. The 13. dicto came in another of the same Fleete, and put out a white Flagge, using many other signes to parlie, but in the night went out two Gallies, whereupon the French distrusting the worst, let slip her Cable and Anchor; and was the next day weighed by the Turke, & carried to their Magazine, which saved them a labour.

Ill newes hath wings, its now the 18. dicto, when advertise­ment comes to Argiere of the taking Asatiea of Ally the Generals, and they make it the common cause, alledging the French met with her upon the coast of Barbary. A goodly prize she had beene, for in her, besides rich loading, was in ready Cashe 70000. peeces of Eight. The whole inhabitants now boyles, the French Councell is sent for, and without any litigation of his cause is by the great Duana or Councell adjudged to be burnt at Babelwach gate. Also Iacus Santo, that paid the rents of the Bastione condemned to bee hanged at Babashon, usuall places of Christians martirdome; 18. thousand peeces of Eight a yeare payd the sayd Sancto to them; A man which formerly had swayed, a person of great experience in the Countrey, and well studied in the Art Machivell, and much hated by the poore French Captives as a perturber to their infran­chisments. In fine, no rod is so fit for a mischievous man as his owne, through [...]mour of death, they both would have turned Turkes, but not permitted nor could any thing asswage the fury of the Duana, but their deaths; yet some gave the word, that if they would dye Turkes, they should be permitted, and that [Page 13] for the saving of their soules. Ally the Generall, for so is this gal­lant called, powerfull in the City, and the Turkes glory, interce­ded for them, giving many pertinent, and powerfull reasons for their remission. The damage sayd he that is done is to me, as be­ing sole owner of the said vessell, and her essentialls, for which I desire no revenge for my owne perticular: but as I am yours, and all I have obliged to this City, if your honours thinke it requi­site to revenge the affront done us, by this late Generall which with one onely shippe outbraved us in our most happy and in­vinceable Port, famous for vertue, and Ianezaries, whose valour hath shaken, and beene a terrour unto the mes-beleevers of all Na­zarine Nations, more then 100. yeares. I have a just propenti­on and am most prompt to adventure my life and substance in this most noble Cities quarrell, and that the time of the yeare is now improper to invade any of the French territories. I esteeme it most convenient there be presently armed six Saile of Gallies, for the surprising of the Bastione, to make a spoyle of what they finde there, as well of people as others, which will be sufficient satisfacti­on to us for the present, and a reall demonstration to that Traleuian nation, how little we esteemed them. This oration highly esteemed was received as an Oracle, & the Duana commands the expedition of the Gallies, who in two dayes were provided, and the 19. of De­cember at noone, without making booke, thy rowed from Argiere, and in three dayes arived at the Bastwin; no sooner Anchored, but Mounsieur the Governour with other Messuers comes aboard to kisse the hand of Ally the Generall: in fine many Madmoyssells, and the people there were curious to see so great a man; the visit and complement ended, the Governour began to take leave of the Generall, who now demands entertainement in the Bastione: Mounsieur promises no man more welcommer, they goe on land together; but instantly followed such a crew of Turkes as they presently became masters of the Bastione. Mounsieur that had Ciceroes eares, diffident of the event, of so unusuall a change, shifts himselfe from the Generall, takes Horse, and happily reco­vered to Barko, a Castle of the Ienewayes, and escaped captivitie, 312. were then captivated with 120. thousand peeces of eight in ready monies, 400. Hogsheads of wine was there staved, the lose [Page 14] redowning to the French more then 100. thousand pounds sterling besides the benefit which they made by the Scale of 100. thousand Ductets a yeare declared, and so much for the French affaires with Argiere. Servility and bondage to an ingenious spirit is worse then death, which is common to all, this to the miserable. The danger of the Seas now keepes the Turkes at home, and wee Gally slaves not to be idle, are set to hayling the Cart in lew of Horses, some to sell water, to chop the Vineyard, and others to builde houses: in the interim I am devising some course of way to effect my libertie: five of us combines together to take a Boate some two miles from the Towne which frequently loaded Ballast; there having constantly but one Turke and two Christians Roars in her; more Oares must be gotten, a Mast and Sayle, otherwise it had beene madnesse, and to plunge our selves into more mischiefe: in fine, foure Oares, a Mast and Saile, Boraches for water, Bread and Compasse was provided, but all the difficultie was to get them out. For a peece of Eight and halfe I got a French man native of Saint Mallo, who had a good Mule to carry all, hee and I loaded it, our act was just, but none of the wisest; and the French man fit for the purpose, we went in company to the towne gate with­out question, but the ward overthrew the carriage, as too suspi­tious, and layd hands of the French man, who doubting nothing of the sufficiency of my warrant, having told him they were to be carried to my patrons Garden: in sum, I seeming all desperate whiles the French man was looking about for me to make answer, I left him, who could not accuse me, as neither knowing my name, my patron, nor where I dwelt. The poore man afterward with his partner, and a Roague mearely maintained to prevent the escape of Christians, sought me, but I kept house till the won­der was over, and was truly grieved for the detriment the poore man suffered by blowes, not any wayes worthy blame in me, as seek­ing my libertie; the poore man afterwards divers times met mee, drew his knife and would have kil'd me, to which hee ever made deepe protestations with a great deale of French fury, which my English resolution cared not for; its not the ill event of an action that can disanimate a good Spirit, the weake faint with every succeeding trouble, but the good heart recollects a double cou­rage: [Page 15] In affliction we were afterwards more jolly company, being 13. and all English, who did joyne and make a Purse of 60. peeces of eight; our desire was to build a Boate, my selfe the man elected to provide all necessaries, and made sole treasurer. My first inqui­sition was for a convenient Garden, and such a one as was manu­red by English men; a very commodious one was found, 27. Deale boards I bought, and had them sawed and carried forth, our Ves­sell flowred, pitched and chalked; when within two nights wee should have beene all ready to depart, unfortunately one of our Carpenters discovered himselfe by carrying his Rule open in his hand, when comming without the gate, he thrust it up under his Doublet, was espyed by a Moore, who gave advice to Dell Ishaw the Spie, who with his company tracked him into the Garden, the subtle Roague taking his best advantage hid himselfe untill the evening, and then came upon us naked, hee and his crew came ar­med, tooke six of us, and carried us to the Bashawes prison, where our patrons redeemed us paying 5. peeces of eight per head, three of my poore Countrey men were cruelly beaten, whereof one dyed, my patron then being Armenie Mahamet Agga bid me welcome without giving me one blow, but if it had beene Ally the Gene­rall, I had lost my eares, and nose which is his custome. I was conscious to the calamities of my poore Countrey men, not that we could impute blame to one another, for I account every Chri­stian oblieged to use all possible attempts for the effecting his li­bertie; for a man doth not onely discover a pusilanimous heart, and indocible disposition in neglecting the least opportunitie, but also commit a sinne against God, who hath not given us wings to outflie our enemies, but reason to devise stratagems and hands to execute them.

It is many yeares since Charles, the first Roman Emperour of fa­mous memory assaulted that city where he received the losse of ma­ny of his Gallies, and his Army dissipated, and its now the 27. of March 1638. when by a Diver was discovered much of the ruines of that Armado, and watched by the Algiers, the whole side of a Galley entire, and the Timber as new, besides three peeces of Brasse Ordnance, and five peeces of Place, all without hurt or bruise, to which I was an oculer witnesse. Ambition is ever in trouble, [Page 16] and findes no intermission of painefull throwes, untill it hath brought forth its abortive desires: my patron and master of 800. Christian slaves is devising more then usuall imployments, and such as caused great admiration amongst the people, and to adde to his greater fame; he sends for the most esteemed and best Architects of those countries, and commences most rare and sumptuous architectures, or edifices for the lodging of Souldiers, the thought of which caused a languishing dejection in all of us his slaves, as none of us exempted from those toyles which was to us an interminable vexation, (onely the divine goodnesse that might prevent it) neither was this our sole Mulct, but grea­ter was our castigation in being subject to so many Masters; as Builders, Gardiners, all spectators were our Commanders, and we oblieged to obey. Lord what passions were in us miserable wretches, what with the impertinencie of our detectores, and our assidious labours, as is no marvell that all things seeme offensive to a crased body: Maledictions wanted not to coun­termaund the period of those Fabrickes; its time and truth that conquers, what the future of it may bee, is beyond my thoughts to determine: in a vast and confused manner wee left it when we were imbarqued on the Gallies, the ninth of May, 1638. and the eleventh, lanched from Argiere for that presup­posed golden voyage, for that now Ally had promised to doe wonders.

Prosperitie begets pride, and pride goes before destruction; combination was timely made the last winter with the Algiers, and Tunessians for the uniting of their Sea Forts, and for what end, but for the performance of some great exploit, eight Gal­lies of the one, and as many more of the others were prepared, and armed. Who should bee Generall Commander was not questioned; as who would oppose Ally of Argiere, for great­nesse renowned in all Africa: not onely Turkes presumed to doe wonders, but also the Christians feared it; the one presuming on their strength, proudly boasted, they feared not all the Gallies of the Messen nations: In summe, Iewes and all made account the whole Orient of the Mediterranian Castle of Christendome should by this Fleete be destroyed, and the common Merchants [Page 17] of Christian slaves, prepared monies to buy, as if so many Slaves had beene ready then in the Markets to be sold. But to the purpose, Tunnis being in the way, the Algiers consent to goe thither and so much the timelier, because Ally would show himselfe in every Port by the way; the Alerbes flocke from all parts to him and hee being ambitious takes no little pride▪ and glory in it. On the fourth of Iune wee came to Besert, but the Tunnis Gallies were gone from thence three dayes before with Ordnance and other munition to fortefie Susea. Alley, too great to enter the gates of this inferior Towne, was welcomed by the Senators or Councell without the wall, where he tooke Horse and poasted for Tunnis, whose King and whole Duana meets him upon the way, which was a great addition to his arrogance, and received him into Tunnis a goodly Citie, and was smmptuously entertai­ned and feasted; the inhabitants thought themselves honored that might have the sight of his person and to raise his glory to the height he is made by the Councell Generall of the whole Na­vie, and authorised to goe whether he pleased. The Tunnis Cap­taines all oblieged to his command none mollopolised against him; Ally sent for his Fleete to Tunnis or the Galletta otherwise the ruines of Carthage: we must not be seene there but in the morning, and that with Flagges, Standards and Streamers wa­ving, command was given to the Slaves to row proudly, which is with a long stroake one in halfe a quarter of an houre; the acti­on, their heads bowed to the Oares Geroone, their fall with a caper, a princely sport to the spectators, and most royall of na­vigations, but the most vile of all slaveries to the subjected; Pre­sents came from the Citie to the Gallies, white bread was not valued, there came such abundance that it fell to the Slaves Pal­lat, wee having beene there seven dayes most welcome to the Tunnessians. The Tunnies Gallies were arived, who were no sooner discryed, but the Algiers waighes to use the complement of meeting; and then he was the bravest Gallant that could show most Silke: And certainly their standards were (for their worth and curiositie of rare verses written in them in Letters of Gold in the Turkish language) to bee admired. They gave each other their valleyes of small shot and their Ordnance, and so ended their salutation.

[Page 18] Their thoughts travelled within them as a woman-in labour, who findes no rest till she be delivered. And they to hasten their designes went to Porta ferinea to tallow, and with all celeritie set forward for the Christian shore. The first ship we met withall was the Love of London, neare the Ile of Pautallereia, shee was a goodly shippe and the weather faire, but the Turke had nothing to say to her, wee were next in chase of five Christian Gallies who nimbly got from us: In the morning we arrived at Strombello, where we put ashore a Frigat of Naples, the men all ranashore, three of them whether wilfully or otherwise I know not, but were de­voured by those afrighting fiers perpetually burning, able to in­voke remorse in the most Flagitious and obdurate hearts, the noyse being like the roarings of Hell. The others advised the Turkes that those Gallies which they had chased were of the Citie of Naples: and not onely so, but which is most to be lamented to see how voluntary Christians are to discover the greatest secrets though to the ruine of their owne countries, for what places hath the Turke taken but by the information of spies, natives of those places, who casting off grace, after their information receive re­wards and turne Turke, and are instruments to ruinate their whole posteritie. I have knowne three that have Pilated the Turke to the place where they were borne, and beene instruments in the capti­vating of their owne fathers and mothers and all their Lineage, ta­king their parts of the price for which their Parents were sold for in the Market, which served them for spending money, on whores, in Tavernes, and for worse vices. These Neapolitanes advised the Turkes of two Gallies of that Citie, loaden with Silkes▪ whose Cargassoones were of excessive value, and bound for Iene­may, and must passe that way and that within three dayes, but God turned that counsell to foolishnesse, for had they atten­ded the time they could not have missed them.

Ocootr [...], a Citie in Galabria, and in the kingdome Naples was next aimed at as a place of riches, and in it esteemed 3000. people at mid day; having stroke downe their Masts, they Boaged for that place, yet made such delayes as that they came not thither till faire day, but landed boldly; the people that could, did runne away; the Turkes tooke the Citie and rifled it, and brought away [Page 19] 115. persons, one whereof was the Bishop of that place, and 15. Nunnes, the chiefe of which was Cosen German to the Prince of Rochella, the other were impotent and aged people: then was the whole Coast in an uproare, and as we were passing by, they let flye their Ordnance at randome, but the Turke to ampli­fie his glory to the ignominie and reproaches of the Italian, pas­sed through the vally of Messena, that City thundered but to little purpose, onely to shew the Turke what they could doe if they were neerer; the bold Turke landed upon the maine, and set on fire their houses, burnt fisher boates, passage boates, horses, and travellers, provision, without feare, haryed all the Coasts, killing beeves, and other Cattle, and setting whole fields of corne on fire and committing many other outrages, to the great dam­mage of the Country: insomuch, as it was disliked by some Turkes themselves, and being now come to Rochella, they met with a Neapolitane ship of 20 gunnes, and having discharged 3. of them, they took his, and afterward set fire on her, and then being insolent were ready to attempt any thing, their prosperity made them mad. Mallapane a Renegado of the Greeke Nation, who runne away with a Gally of the great Turkes, which he sould in Tunnis, for 26000. peeces of eight, informed them of a Citie lately sunke: wherein of many thousand Soules which perished by that disaster, there onely remained about 400 persons posses­sing great riches, living in cottages errected for their present ne­cessities; his information was most joyfully received, and the pro­jector not a little proud to be the Instrument of so great a bene­fit. The attempt was prosecuted, and at midnight 1500 Turkes Landed to captivate and spoyle those imagined more than distra­cted and forlorne people: Malapane was generall conductour and he brought them to the Citie, which the day shewed them to be standing, and sumptuous, who sent them such Orators, as made them use more haste backe than good speede. This City was well knowne to Allie Captaine Bashaw, who with 80. Gallies, and a power on Land, battered it 3. dayes and returned with shame, it is called Cotroone, and lyes within 6. leagues of Cape, St. Maries, the entring in of the Gulfe of Venice.

Thus was Italy the eye of Christendome infestred by these [Page 20] Rovers. The Levant wind being high caused them to continue [...]kale there for 7. dayes space within a league of that City, in which time the Turke foreaged the Country, tooke many of the inhabitants that lived in villages, and remote houses, their Gal­leyes heads all day on Land and they cutting wood, making water, and dressing pillow a chiefe dish, pleasing their pallats: no Native appeared in all this time for resistance, therefore by imagination they Reigned Kings, the wind calming withall celeritie they advance, for their great explot: but he that with his incompre­hensible eye seeth the actions and discerneth the intentions of all men, disposing things according to his Divine Will, as celeri­ously sends an obsticle to perturbe their way. Such a Levant wind as for securitie they were forced to returne to their former place of Randevous. The next intermission of such huge and unwon­ted gusts, they againe set forward, when not having rowed foure leagues, were repulsed by the like occasion; no sooner re-anka­red, but that furious Element, converts it selfe to calme mildnesse, and now the third time attempts the accomplishment of their high Ambition, and are repulsed, had they not beene more insen­sate than errationalls, they could not but have repaired to the consideration from whence their so often countermand procee­ded: in summe, God reserving them for a greater castigation, calmes the wind, and they joyously advances, and now got Cape S. Maries, the most orientalist part of Italy, and not to be disco­vered, strikes the Gallies Maste into the Cushea, or downeupon the Decke, and each rowes who shall be the formaste, to arrive to that middle Island in the Gulf of Venice, or as the Italian calls it Ill Isella de Methia, the 3000. Christians promised them by the spie, a man of more than sixtie yeares of Age, and one that had lived a Christian in a Captives estate, 37. yeares, this great bootie is now in an attained aggetation, stately Catria, a Citie in Sclavonia, oc­culerly presents her selfe unto them, the bagge or stroke of the Oare is reinforced to no little ditrament of the poore Christians; the All-sufficient God conscious to their indurances, commands the wind to Countermand the inexorable cruelties of their op­pressors, by whose furie the Turke is desperated of better for­tunes, nor had any of them the least hope but to have perished in [Page 21] that tempest: the Turke ignorant of the coast in this extasie, im­plors the knowledge of some Christian, to whom the danger of death was alike equall, and obtained, all consenting for the pre­servation of so many Christians lives, they harboured them in the port of Vollonia in the Duchie of Albaine, but man that is not so sencible of the perfects health, as of the least sickenesse, so no sooner was this dangerover, having recollected good tackling, with other necessaries, they reconsulted whether to goe; all of them deepely protesting never to returne to Argere without sufficient purchase, answerable to so many difficulties endurances, & so great an adventure, their first project ever approved the best, for that in that Island there were at least 300. Christians; beside rich pillage and no difficultie in taking it, as being unfortified, yet others contrary opinioned, opposed, alleaged the danger of the sea, which for a time caused a demurre in some of them; yet concluded that when that should faile, they would fall upon some Greeke Towne, which lived under the Great Turkes obedience, and let his greatnesse take it how he would, they cared not, Sollymon Agga governor of the Country, advertised Allie the Generall the neernesse of Corfue, and of 2 Gallie asses, and 20. Gallies al­wayes kept there by the state of Venice to deffend their seas, who without all question, would soone come to have intelligence of their being there, but Allie bravely replies, not to care for all the Gallies of Venice much lesse for those in Corffue▪ Mahomet Bey a man better considerate and Captaine of the Tunise Gallies, with other Captaines of both Cities intreates him to get some o­ther Port for better securitie, but all Councell, the purchaser of goodnesse is contemned by him, newes is at Corffue of these Gal­lants being in Vollonia. Marino Capella Proveditore or generall of the Armatha, withall religious care uses more than ordinary ex­pedition, for the Arming his Navie; in a day and a night they are provided and ready, and Saturday morning, Iune 8. arrives in that Port with his whole Armatha: the Turkish Gallies then at skale, their powers upon the Land; this Vollonia is a great Bay of 5 Leagues deepe or long, Land lockt on both sides, it hath in the plaine a great Castle and well fortified, and in it a great number of excellent brasse Ordnance; upon the hill or mountaine of [Page 22] exceeding great height is another Castle over-seeing a great part of the Country, and farre discovering at Sea; which Castle disco­vering the Venetian Navie, shot a warning peece, the word now forratendo, for we had then our tents up to keepe us from the wea­ther, which then rained, thundred, and lightned in most terrible manner, it is now time the Turke looke about himselfe, they let slip their Cables, and roade under the great Castle, there being in sight those that before they cared not for now feares them: it is too much to be a speaker and a dooer, the deepest waters are the least heard, whereas the shallowest makes the greatest noyse; the Turke is now consulting for best order of defence, and by gene­rall consent brings their poopes to the shoare, and their prowes to the Sea, their Gallies lashed one to another, only leaving distance for the slaves to use their Oares, for the Gallies order; the fowle weather and abundance of raine made the Venetian all improper to give an assault that day. Sunday morning after the performan­ces, and rites of Christianity, they put abroad their flagges, and standard, and with drummes and trumpets, advances in the front where the two Gallyasses thundering with their Artillerie, before the smaller Gallies Ordnance could doe execution. Allie the Generall now solicits the verteous Mustapha Captaine of the Castell to defend his Navie and people from the violence of the Naizerian misbeleevers, which with store of peeces of eight hee effected, as the French Proverbe sayes, silver answers to all; it is so powerfull a prevailer with that Nation of the Turke, that giving them money with one hand, they may put out their eyes with the other; powder and Gunners are sent into the Castle, which is not a trivial one but containes an English mile in curcum­ference: in sum, it is a place strong both by Art & Nature, having in it more than 150 peeces of brasse Ordnance; the best that ever I saw. Mustapha, the Captaine now displayes the Horse Taile, or royall insigne of the great Turke, and stoutly defends the Barbariscos partie, the fight is hot on both sides, and in spight of the Castle, had the Venetian continued it but halfe an houre longer the Barba­riscoes had all lept into the Sea, and left their Gallies and 4500. Christians captives to their vertue, but as to the unfortunate there never wants succeeding troubles; in the interim this disaster be­fell [Page 23] us, one of the Captaines of the Gallyasses lost his arme, upon which she retired, dissention falling betwixt the Venetians, the major part of the Captaines commanded a retreate, contrary to the will of that noble Generall Marine Capella, who for his worth and valour may be ranked amongst the greatest Captaines of those times. Thus ended that fight which had continued neare three houres to the glory of the Turke for that present, who for joy gave their feesses or out cries, Alla, Alla, Mahomet, and Rosallah, which is God, God, alone; and Mahamet his prophet thunde­ring with their great Ordnance and vallies of small shot, in deri­sion of the Christian vertue, whiles the Venetian retired to their place of first ankoring; Immediatly sent a Gally for Venice to ad­vise the Serinissimo Prince and illusterous Sinate, what accurred; Demanding their future pleasures concerning those Turkish Pi­rates: there's many Snake lies hid under Stawbury leaves for all this great flash of the Turkish glory; they are yet timerous what the event will be, and to prevent the worst, the same night they difinbarqued all their Christians, carries them a mile into the countrey, and erected Tents in the field for their randavowes, being all well coupled tenne and tenne together in chaines, they also makes a Trench opposite to their Gallies to play the brave fellowes in, and having beene blocked up by the Venetians neare a moneth growes weary and distastefull of such command [...] in summe the one and the other having their especialls of each others condition; the Turke is informed the Venetian to be very slenderly manned, as not having one Gally with another above fortie, some but thirtie Souldiers, which indeed was true: the Turkes are now ashamed, and blames somes cowardlinesse, and withall haste tallowes and prepares their Gallies which are soone accommodated, but before a supply of Souldiers is come to the Venetians from Corffue, but without the Turkes knowledge they now call a councell and concludes to send Mustapha Captaine of the Castle to treate with the Venetian Generall, and under that pretence to spy out and discover their Forces. Mustapha goes to them, parlies with Marine Cappella, and according to their won­ted custome, falls to dissimulation, exhibits Allies letter to that Generall; demands by his permission and favour free passage, for [Page 24] that he came not thether prepensedly, but being bound for Con­stantinople to serve his Emperour was put into their Seas by ex­tremetie of weather, and to authenticate it, exhibited to the Ve­netian Generall, the great Turkes letter, but Marine Capella Semper Idem, refuseth all treatie with them, and had good cause of in­credulitie by good intelligencers. Mustapha returnes with this answer, that if they would come forth they should bee most wel­come, and couragiously received, but to their owne perills; and that if it fortuned they to carry him, he must have patience: but if it fortune he to carry them, as he hoped in the mercy of Jesus and the vertue of their patron S. Marke he should, they must have the like; he also saw the Venetians well armed, and having delivered this answer to Ally hee is not a little perplexed; the Venetian on their parts as vigellent as the Turke, had there especially some Turkes, others Albinesses, and Iewes of the countrey, by whom hee got daily information of the Turkes proceedings, excellently well playd on their parts; they imployed Turkes averse in religion and condition to the Christians, who without suspition every day eate and dranke with the enemy: Consequently the better able to informe the Albinesses and Iewes they imployed to accuse the va­liditie or invaliditie of the Turkes, reports the Venetian confor­mable to good intelligence, ordereth his Armatha, the Gally­asses were placed where the Turkes must passe, if they attempted it; and every night having their Frigats and Boats which came under the Castle walls, and to the very Prowes of the Gallies which so daunted the Turkes that they now utterly dissisted from their resolution of combate, and all amort are devising a new way to secure the Slaves, if the Venetian should land his Forces, and ayme to fetch them off by force: 500. of us were put into a Tower in the Castle; all lying 10. and 10. in chaines, a place as darke as Pitch, and a foot thicke in dust, but its now seven weekes since the arrivall of the Venetian Armatha in this Port, and their Gally sent to Venice for further order is returned, the Prince and Si­nod authenticats Marine Capellas doings, that what his excellence should doe, should bee well done, nor does hee omit any time to illustrate his zeale to the divine majestie and valour to ruenate so many miscrante enemies to the faith of Christ: who as breake [Page 25] of day commences a second battaile with thundering off great Ordnance, and vallies of small Shot; for although the Venetians carries not so many Souldiers in their Gallies as the Turke does, yet have they this advantage of them, that upon any occasion they arme their Bonavollies and condemned men, who upon promise of libertie or other reward will fight bravely; the Turke leaves their Gallies and runnes into the Castle, Christians they force to be Gunners, the two Galliasses with 4. other smaller Gallies, batters that Castle whilest the others board the Turkish Gallies, lay their fasts to them, and roaes them away; thus Nobly did the Venetian end this fight in lesse than an houre, to their glory and the infa­mie of the Barberiscos: great murmerings were now amongst the Turkes against Ally their Generall, who has no other way to e­scape their furie and revenge, but by open handed liberalitie, wherein he promised to relieve the Souldiers present necessitie: In summe his generositie is universall to the reliefe of that ruena­ted company, as well Christians as Turkes, and he promised the remuneration of all the Captaines, by refurnishing them with as many Gallies as they had lost. The hurleburly with these glorious proffers being over; Ally now seekes all the coast, and recollects the greatest shot the Venetians had made against them, which he since presented to the great Turke, whom he intercedes for remu­neration and revenge, urging a breach of peace, in that the Ve­netian surprised their Gallies in one of his Masters Ports. But three dayes after that fight he marched from Volloniea to Sellenico in Arcadia, leaving behind him onely fiftie eight Christians in great indisposition, whereof my selfe was one, so feeble as ac­counted a dead man; but such is the goodnesse of God as indu­reth daily: It pleased the divine Majestie to keepe mee in a lan­guishing sicknesse. I was three times recovered, and three times downe in relapse of a most violent Fever, but thankes bee unto God that hath not given me over as a prey to their teeth; in 35. dayes after returned a Bullabash of Argiere, with order from our Patron or Master Ally, to carry us all for Arcadia, but the Bulla­bash returned thither onely with seventeene men, which were in­differently recovered, some being dead, and the rest very sicke, but God so provided for me, that I was consciously commissera­ted [Page 26] by the Bullabash [...], who left mee to receive better for­tune.

Certaine Turkes were left with us a Guardians or Keepers, others to over-see those materialls belonging to the Gallies, landed before their surprisall, whereof the chiefe was Murate, by a Renegatha of the Corceca nation, a person of great honour in Argiere, Lievetenant Generall of the Armatha, a father in Law to Ally the Generall, a man of an hundred and foure yeares of age, whose desire was to die in the face of Christians fighting the battell of Mahomet; three dayes after the Bullabashes depar­ture dyed in Volloniea.

God that had preserved us in so many inevitable dangers, did also restore some of us to more then an ordinary strength of body, from so great feeblenesse and such poore meanes for recovery: no sooner were wee able to stand upon our legges, but we are stu­dious how to bring to passe our libertie; foureteene of us being in reasonable strength resolves to give the attempt, yet some pu­sellanimous, base spirit proves a Traytor, informes the Guardion of our intentions, and not onely so, as being resolved to runne away, but also to kill him; for his report we are all Castigated, and our case pittious. Command was given to the Souldiers of the Castle to looke vigilently unto us; that death is better then so base a life, nor could this deter or disanimate us from our re­solution to attaine libertie or death, no time so fit as the present, come what will come.

All were in chaines, foure and foure except a Spaniard, the supposed deare friend of our Guardion, and my selfe dispencer of the house; it fortuned our Guardion to goe to the next towne, called by them Deshera some mile off, in whose absence wee used such Art as we got all the rest out of chaines, and the Locks againe so put in, as to be taken out with our fingers; in the evening re­turnes our Keeper, well fudled or well drunke, whereby no search was made to our Fetters that night: It being Saterday, the 22. of October 1638. betwixt twelve and one houres in the night we rose together, two rouses the ablest men amongst us, throw their Coates over their faces and would not goe: A Gersie man, and by trade a Cooper, was so drunke that he could not goe, but [Page 27] my griefe is for those poore soules, whose indisposition was such as they could not goe; I was conscious to their pittious moanes but could not helpe them, what became of our Keeper I cannot tell, my consorts told me they had not done him any violence; hee had good clothes and some peeces of eight, of which wee tooke not any with us, but left all, as a testimony of our genero­sities as to contemne all terrene materialls, preferring penurious libertie before Fetters of Gold: our provision was some bread, and we also carried a Boracha for water, and a double Rope, with which we scaled the Castle walls: In this manner wee departed, foure English men, one Welch man, a Gersie man, two French men, one Spaniard, one Majorcine, a Neopolitane, a Greeke, and a boy of Malta; in our passing through the Castle, although it be full of houses and people, we heard onely the barking of a Dogge, and having gone neare two miles, took the shore side for our director. God that never failes those that trust in him, so provided for us, that we found two Boates, one of them having a Maste standing, her we imbraced, and sunke the other, to prevent their persuing after us; and having rowed two nights and a day, wee recovered the Ile of Corfue, and landed at a Monistary called Saint Catterines, where we were curteously received by the Greeke Fathers; at noone wee rowed to the Monestery of Madone, where wee had intelligence of a Gally being some two miles from thence cutting wood, and that night to goe for the Citie of Corfue. The Cap­taine Illustricemo de Molimea entertained us with all courtesie re­ceived us into his Gally, and carried us for that Citie and pre­sented us to the providitor of the Iland; who after our examina­tion not a little to his content, sent us to the generall Gally of Venice, where we had a supper and lodging that night, and the next day a Passe, and imbarcation for Venice: being now to ren­der thankes unto the Lord who has done this great worke for me in delivering me from such an inextrecable labarinth of mise­ry, blessed be God that hath broken that snare, and set my fecte in a large roome, not unto us O Lord, let unto thy name be the glory; I am now in my way to Venice upon the Gally of Counterine; the first skale we made was at Budway in Epire; our second at Catriea, a sumptuous City in Sclavonia; our third at Rogousea, famous for [Page 28] antiquitie and strength, being an absolute Sinurie, having many other Cities to her obedience, and in joying an ample patrimony, onely its her misery to be tributary to the great Turke, to whom for dismollistation they pay yearely 40000. peeces of eight: our fourth ankering was at Lessena, our fift at Spellata, our sixt at Sabainica. a sweet Citie famous for her Port and invincible Castle in the Sea; our seventh at Zara, a sumptuous and spacious Citie; we are shortning our way and come to Saint Peters in Dalmathiea, and also passed other Cities not so remarkable as the rest, I doe therefore omit to nominate, at Polla in Istra wee met with the generall Gally of Argiere, and sometime the glory of Barbary, which with one more presented by the Venetians to the Pope are all that remaines of that 16. Gallies of the Turke, the rest being sunke in Corfue: wee are come to Ruena, a pretty Citie and most fertile Countrey, and from thence to Perenca, a Citie destroyed by the Popes excommunication: In summe with sight of other Cities I arrived in Venice, where I imbarked upon the great Charles of Bristoll, and having beene at Sefelenea and Zaunt, am in agetati­on to survive to see the naturall place of my habitation.

Thus have I recorded a plenary memoriall of my seven yeares bondage, but not the severall accidents of my indurances, there wanting in me abilitie to devulge them, for as there is no cala­mitie can befall a man in this life which hath the least parallell to this of Captivitie, neither are the indurances of Captives equall, although the least without the divine assistance were insupportable; yet are they all easie in Comparison to that of the Gallies which is most inhumane and diabollicall and such as doth rather, imperverse men then Repleate any good humour in them; good fortune to mee is a singular mu­tive to modesty, and a forcible spurre to moderation; prayers winne mee, menances reject me, favours relent mee, feares im­perverseth me: alas, such are their ditraments, as causeth them to curse the day of their Nativities, and the parents that engen­dred them, and if it were to dye to curse God himselfe, I speake it with awfull timour: in their passions they renounce heaven, S. Peter, and all sanctitie; in their agonies or discontents, they ves­sially spit against the wind, disputing whether God and Nature [Page 29] be conspired against them, when it is either calme or contrary; for a drop of water they would pawne their soules, and often are constrained to drinke of the Salt Oceans; their repast at best but bread and water, and for want of sleepe are in continuall extasies; the strokes of the Oare is dollerous, and with its ausideousnesse many splits their hearts at it, in this miserie all things makes a­gainst themselves: the scorching heate now penetrates their brains, their flesh is burned off their backes, when anon they are as much pinched with cold: strong fetters are their neerest consorts from which they are never exempted, unlesse for equall miseries; their repose, when they have any, is sitting, their pillow the banke up right, and that dubble, not having so much roome as to stretch their legges; their sleepe when they have any is an houre in twelve, and that at night, when the one halfe Roaes and the o­ther slumbers: a call of a Whisell awakes them all three hundred or more of them, their audiance and leape must be altogether; the discpline take Oare in hand, the stroke regular and punctiall, their heads shaved unto the skull, their faces disvigured with disbar­bing, their bodies all naked, onely a short linnen paire of breeches to cover their privities, they Mount and fall like Appe and Ca­mille, for so is the command: from Poop to Prow nothing but ex­cecrations and passing of blowes: Who has not his head and face broken, all their bodies pearled with a bloody sweate? Nay, which of their sences is not a window to let in sorrow? if chased by the Christian Gallies, by whom they may be relieved, they are then forced to put might and maine, to runne from them, the Turkes standing with drawne sables over their heads, and if by feabelnes any faints, has his Armes or head Cut off: they are beaten to put on their clothes and beaten to take them off, they are bea­ten, to eate, drinke, sleepe, and wash, and are beaten for doing any of these; what shall I say more of these exorbitant men, who had they the vertue of patience, reposing sure confidence in the Divine Majestie, I presume, God would deliver them, so wishing them grace, whilst lamenting their estates, left in those torments, many of whom I love most deare, doe end this discourse, desiring God to send them libertie.